Gov. Christie calls NJ Assemblyman Reed Gusciora 'numbnuts'

TRENTON -- The feud between Gov. Chris Christie and Assemblyman Reed Gusciora over legalizing same-sex marriage ratcheted up a notch Monday when Christie called the lawmaker "numbnuts" for comparing him to dead segregationist governors.

Christie hurled the insult during a Statehouse news conference while attempting to clarify remarks he made last week that gay marriage should be decided by a voter referendum, not by legislation.

"Name calling won't get us anywhere," shot back Gusciora (D-Mercer-Hunterdon), the Assistant Majority Leader in the Assembly and one of two openly gay legislators.

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Gusciora has introduced a bill to legalize same-sex marriage as a civil right.

"The governor constantly reverts to name calling when he is unable to address issues on their merits," said Gusciora. "The fact is, the governor's opposition to the civil right of marriage equality is comparable to others who opposed other civil rights."

He said he stands by his earlier statement that Christie would have "found allies" in two infamous segregationists -- the late Alabama Gov. George Wallace and the late Georgia Gov. Lester Maddox - who fought U.S. Justice Department efforts to enforce civil rights in the South.

"If he doesn't like the comparison, Gusciora said, "then he should change his position on marriage equality and sign the bill into law."

Christie seized the offensive, attempting to explain his intent when he said last Thursday that "People would have been happy to have a referendum on civil rights rather than fighting and dying in the streets in the South."

Christie added on Monday, "The political climate in the South didn't give them the option to have a referendum back then." He later added, "They wished they would have had the option, but the political climate did not permit it, meaning they would not win."

At that time Gusciora asked, "Is Gov. Christie actually saying the civil rights gains this nation saw in the 1960s should not have been legislated? If so, that's very disturbing.

"James Meredith wouldn't have gotten into the University of Mississippi any sooner if it were up to Chris Christie," the assemblyman said.

Gusciora urged Christie to follow the brave example set "by a lot of people, including elected officials" who stood up for what was right to protect equal rights in the U.S.

"Governor, it's time for you to follow their brave example when it comes to marriage equality," he said.

Christie said the Democrats' reaction to his statement was politically motivated overreaction.

"It just shows how politically desperate the Democrats are," he said.

Coincidentally, civil rights leader U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) was visiting in Trenton on Monday with U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) at Shiloh Baptist Church to talk about the civil rights movement.

"We would have never made it during the 40s, the 50s or the 60s," Lewis said, according to the Star-Ledger of Newark.. "Most of the governors except for a few of the states were outright segregationist. And in most of these states in the old confederacy, people of color could not register to vote."

Christie said he had not been approached about meeting Lewis, but would clear his schedule if the opportunity arose.

"Congressman Lewis is an American hero," Christie said, "and anytime he wants to come to New Jersey he will be welcomed with open arms because he led an extraordinary movement at great risk and sacrifice to himself."

Christie said he met at a pre-planned breakfast with leaders in the African-American community, NAACP leaders and mayors, who understood that his comments were not intended to be "racially insensitive."

Christie's use of the word "numbnuts" - defined in the online Urban Dictionary as the "stupidest of the stupid" - is the latest example of his straight-talk politics.

Supporters say it endears him to a state that embraces his Jersey ways, but opponents often question his manner.

Christie, for example, has derided the MTV show "Jersey Shore," saying it gives the state a bad name and "does nothing more than perpetuate misconceptions about the state and its citizens."

Opponents may capitalize on Christie's use of the word "numbnuts" to wonder if he has joined the reality TV ranks.